The 2023 Hall of Fame inductees will be honoured this September at the Toy of the Year Awards ceremony in New York.
From the inventor of an iconic construction toy to the founders of the company behind pre-school powerhouse Paw Patrol, The Toy Association has announced six trailblazers who will join the esteemed Hall of Fame: Ronnen Harary; Anton Rabie & Ben Varadi, co-founders of Spin Master; Mary Couzin, founder & president of ChiTag & People of Play; the late John McLoughlin, founder of board game company McLoughlin Brothers; the late Rose O’Neill, creator of Kewpie dolls; the late David Ring, founder of Larami Corporation; and the late John Lloyd Wright, inventor of Lincoln Logs.
This year’s Hall of Fame inductees were nominated and voted on by members of The Toy Association in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have had on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 85 toy industry luminaries who have been inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984, including those who brought to life Mickey Mouse (Walt Disney), Barbie (Ruth and Elliot Handler), The Muppets (Jim Henson), Marvel (Stan Lee) and more.
“Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie and Ben Varadi, along with Mary Couzin, are each pioneers in their own right whose remarkable influence has profoundly shaped the modern-day toy industry,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of The Toy Association. “As the founders of Spin Master, the three extraordinary visionaries have created beloved products, entertainment franchises and digital games that have brought joy to the lives of millions of children while building one of the most important companies in the global toy industry.
“Mary, a passionate advocate and supporter of the inventor community who has worked tirelessly on a range of events and services, is also an invaluable member of The Toy Association who dedicates her time contributing to our collective efforts, including serving on the Toy of the Year Award Selection Committee.”
This year’s posthumous inductees were first recommended as part of a slate of candidates brought forth by the Hall of Fame Subcommittee on Posthumous Selection, which considered diversity in company, area of contribution, ethnicity, gender and lasting impact on the toy industry. The nominees were then voted on by the Hall of Fame Committee and the four inductees were approved by The Toy Association Board of Directors.
“It is with great admiration that The Toy Association has inducted John McLoughlin, Rose O’Neill, David Ring and John Lloyd Wright posthumously,” added Steve. “This honour is a testament to their enduring legacies, timeless toys and remarkable achievements. Their contributions have paved the way for countless toy inventors, inspiring them to dream big and push the boundaries of innovation. We look forward to honouring all of the 2023 Hall of Fame inductees this September at the Toy of the Year Awards ceremony.”
The TOTY Awards event will kick off New York Toy Fair on Friday, September 29th. New York Toy Fair will take place from September 30th to October 3rd at the Javits Center in New York City.
For more information on the inductees, visit toyassociation.org/HOF.
